Dhamendran's family claims harassment by cops, PM Dept aide

 

(The Star) - He said they were interested in meeting us but that we should keep it a secret from our lawyer and also advised me to hire new lawyers.

The family of N. Dhamendran, who died in police lock-up, is claiming harassment by the police and Prime Minister's Department.

However, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Paul Lowhas denied the allegation.

Dhamendran's father V. Narayanasamy, 59, alleged Wednesday that he received calls from a man claiming to be from the Prime Minister's Department on two occasions.

"I received a call around 9pm on May 27 from a man named Ravindran, who told me he was from the Prime Minister's Department under Minister Datuk Paul Low.

"He said they were interested in meeting us but that we should keep it a secret from our lawyer and also advised me to hire new lawyers," he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters here.

Dharmendran, 32, died while he was detained at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters lock-up on May 21. He had complained of chest pains and was sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur but died upon arrival.

Meanwhile, Low confirmed that his aide had contacted the family but merely to offer his condolences.

"I wanted to contact them to assure them that I will be bringing up the matter during the Cabinet meeting and asked if I could see them personally to offer my condolences.

"I don't have a clue why they are saying this. This has totally been distorted. Maybe it is political," Low said when contacted.

He noted that Dhamendran's family had every right to choose their own lawyer, adding that he was willing to work with PKR vice-president N. Surendran, who is representing the family, to find a solution.

Dhamendran's wife, M. Marry, 26, has accused the police of delaying investigations and harassing her family.

"We have a post mortem report from forensic expert Dr. Siew Sheue Feng which stated that the cause of my husband's death was multiple blunt force trauma.

"Why are they still calling up my family and even my lawyer? They haven't even arrested a single cop responsible," she said.

When contacted, Federal CID deputy director Deputy Comm Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah declined to comment on the progress of the investigations.

"Give us the necessary time to properly investigate this case," he said.